Game of Thrones Cake Pops

Since I didn’t read any of the Game of Thrones books before watching the show, everything was a surprise to me. But, the biggest surprise came during the ninth episode of the first season, “Baelor.” Everything was building towards a most dreadful ending and I kept thinking, “No, they won’t do it. They won’t kill Ned Stark. No way.” And then, this happened:

Holy crap. They did it. They killed the supposed protagonist. As if that wasn’t controversial enough, they also created this teaser poster for season 2:

Image from EW.com

After an immediate reaction of shock, sadness, and a little disgust (which I imagine was the point), I thought…it kind of looks like a cake pop. I realize this means that I’ve lost it. I’m ok with that.

And so, my Ned Stark cake pops were born. They’re not that different from regular cake pops, except I used a bamboo skewer that extends all of the way through the cake ball…and they’re kind of grotesque, funny, and awesome at the same time.

Crumble the cooled cake in a large bowl and mix in the cream cheese icing. I used my hands, which is super messy but more effective. It should be slightly sticky and moldable (how is “moldable” not a real word? I’m a rebel English major).

Roll the mixture into about quarter sized balls and chill on a cookie sheet for a couple hours. If you’re short on time, you can put them in the freezer instead.

This recipe will make tons of cake balls (Bakerella estimates about 45-50). You can halve the recipe to make less.

Dipping time! I think I read somewhere that you should estimate approximately 1 ounce of candy melts per pop. That sounds a little high to me, but I’m new to the cake pop world.

Mix equal parts pink, yellow, and white candy melts.

Microwave according to the package directions. If your package does not have directions for melting, try putting the candy melts in the microwave on 50% power for about 1 minute. Stir, and then keep putting them back in the microwave on 50% power for 10-15 seconds, stirring after each heating session. You want the mixture to be glossy and smooth.

Now that the cake has been chilling in the fridge for some time, take a bamboo skewer and push it all the way through one of the red velvet balls. A little bit of cake will cling to the exposed tip. Don’t worry – it only heightens the effect.

Now, dip it in the melted candy up to the bottom of the cake ball.

Don’t worry about the candy on the tip of the skewer. Once it dries, it is easy scrape off the extra with a knife.

After they have dried and you cleaned up the skewer tip, melt the brown candy melts to make the hair. Just take a toothpick and apply the chocolate to the pop. Don’t worry about being perfect here; you’re just laying down the foundation of the hair. You may have to reheat the candy and change toothpicks a couple times.

The chocolate layer will dry pretty quickly. Once it does, keep adding additional bits of chocolate to add texture.

It sounds complicated, but really, I was just wingin’ it and I think it came out pretty nice.

Next, I added the face with a food writer. I knew I couldn’t pull off a super realistic likeness, so I went for a more cartoonish look.

Death makes Ned Stark a sad panda. I already started making the beard here with the same candy melts I used for the hair. I outlined the mouth first and then added more.

I didn’t extend the beard all the way to the hair just to give it a more defined look. I wanted to make sure it actually looked like a beard!

Next, melt a couple red candy melts and add a little blood under the cake pop.

It adds a little something, no?

Poor Ned Stark.

Gone too soon, but immortalized in cake. And, isn’t that what is really important?

Bahaha, these are so awesome! Found this through the Game of Thrones tumblr…I submitted a few things myself, but there’s some serious talent out there! For what it’s worth, I actually like the eyes the way they are…gives more of that creepy cute (and delicious) factor.

I’ve yet to see the series but I knew that Sean Bean was playing Ned Stark so when I started the books I was reasonably confident the character was going to die, Sean almost always dies before the end! Sad that it was so soon, but I’ll just look away when the moment comes I think. The cake pops look deliciously scary.

These are awesome! Made some myself using your instructions, I always have really bad luck with cake pops (the first dipping step) which means I only ended up with like five when it was all said and done.

I added a couple of green into the flesh tone to make him look “deader”.

I made these today, and I used all white melts and ivory food dye, and the color is perfect. BUT — I had trouble with the smoothness of the candy. Do you have any tips on keeping the candy smooth on the ball?

Hi Corrinne! What kind of food dye did you use? Was it water based? That can cause some problems with candy melts. I’ve only used oil based colors (like these: http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?sku=1913-1299). That may have been the problem! Also, when I tried to dip them twice before the first coat was completely dry, I had trouble keeping it smooth. After the initial dip, I gently twirled the skewer to get off some of the excess candy and I think that helped get a smoother finish. I struggle to get that perfectly smooth look too!

I used Wilton Icing Colors Concentrated Paste in Ivory. I didn’t measure it precisely, but it was a butter knife tip’s worth. I mixed it into 28 ounces of white candy melts.

Anyhoo, it was super thick, which contributed to the gloppiness. I’m thinking keeping it over a double boiler to keep it very warm might help, or adding a bit of vegetable oil to thin it out…..have you tried either of those methods?

I haven’t tried either of those myself, but I’ve heard that vegetable oil works well. I would start with a tiny bit and see if that helps! Also, and sorry I hadn’t thought of this before, sometimes the chocolate can get gloopy if it is overheated. Try melting it at a lower temperature – that may help too!

These are awesome!!! I love GOT and these are perfect. I actually like the eyes the way they are. Im going try and make these for Halloween. I wondered since the skewer went all the way through the pop – if you had any issues with the pop sliding down and not staying in place? Also what did you display them on, styrofoam? Thanks!

Hi Kayla! So glad you like them Since the balls are chilled first, they stayed firmly in place for me! Just be careful not to dip them too many times into the melted candy melts – if the cake balls become too heavy, they may slide off of the skewer!

Hi Saskia! Candy melts are basically colored/flavored coating (with a similar consistency to chocolate). You could use white chocolate and add oil or powder based coloring to achieve the right shade. Hope that helps!

Hi Kristina! I’ve never used a cake ball maker, but I believe the texture is different because cake pops made by hand are mixed with frosting to help them hold their shape, while cake pop makers actually bake the batter into a ball shape. This would change the texture and the taste, for sure!